In case you haven’t figured it out yet, we’re pretty big Tolkien fans. So, you can imagine how much excitement and planning has gone into this year’s Tolkien Week, Hobbit Day, and Feast Week.

The 2 week celebration extravaganza kicks off this Sunday, September 16, and will continue through to Friday, September 28. We’ve got a full line up of fun for all you fellow fans. We’re talking multiple official Hobbit Gear giveaways each day, contests with grand prizes, celebrity video Hobbit readings, and more! It’s time to get your Hobbit on, folks! See the official schedule below for more details.

Tolkien Week (Sep 16 -21)

Giveaways: Every day this week we’ll be giving away one Official Hobbit Tote Bag and 2 Gandalf for President buttons. That’s 3 chances to win, every day! Be sure to watch our Facebook page and Twitter feed for details on how to enter.

News: The Middle-earth News staff has been hard at work gathering all kinds of Tolkien goodness to share with fans. Check back here each day for new posts and content.

Photo Contest: “If more of us valued food and cheer and … Photo Contests, what a great prize you could win!”

Release your inner Hobbit, Dwarf or Elf by taking part in our Middle-Earth News Photo Contest! Starting September 16th, enter a photo of yourself dressed as your favourite Tolkien character or Tolkien like scenery, from the vast world of Middle-Earth and you could win a fantastic prize from Middle-Earth News in celebration of Hobbit Day!

One (1) Grand Prize Winner will receive: Official Hobbit Tote Bag, Hobbit Day T-shirt, Middle-earth Network Hobbit Day Album, Official Gandalf for President button, Official ‘The Hobbit’ Movie Poster, Lonely Mountain Band Album, an official Ted Nasmith digital download of ‘The Hidden Door’, Official ‘Second Breakfast’ Mug, and an official Lord of the Rings replica sword!

Submissions must be received by September 28th midnight. The winner will be announced October 1st right here on Middle-Earth News. More information on how to enter will be posted soon, so keep watch!

Hobbit Day (Sep. 22)

Events Schedule: Hobbit Day 2012: All self respecting Hobbits know that September 22nd is birthday of Bilbo and Frodo Baggins; and now the Middle-earth Network and the largest gathering of worldwide fantasy fans are “planning a party of special magnificence” to celebrate the date! In coordination with the release of Exploring the Hobbit by Dr. Corey Olsen (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (September 18, 2012) and to celebrate the 75th Anniversary of the publication of The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien, there will be an all day online festival hosted at HobbitDay.com.

Sponsored by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, Mythgard, The Tolkien Society and of course hosted by the Middle-earth Network; Hobbit Day 2012 will be the largest ever online celebration of the day. The massive virtual festival will feature a lecture and celebration with Dr. Corey Olsen, Tolkien artist Ted Nasmith’s special new website launch party, Tolkien Society Today podcast launch, “Favorite passage of the Hobbit” readings by celebrities and personalities, live music and gaming events, and much much more, all related to The Hobbit & J.R.R. Tolkien.

Over the years we have seen many great Tolkien or Hobbit themed gatherings and festivals, but nothing of this size or scope has ever been planned before that enables halflings worldwide to attend a legendary party for free, and from the comfort of their own hobbit hole! The event will be live streamed on HobbitDay.com (through the MyMiddle-earth social community) with loads of events planned and social hangouts for fans to enjoy. Feel free to visit HobbitDay.com for developing info and schedule!

Hobbit Day Reading Contest: Starting Monday, Sep. 17 fans can enter Middle-earth Network’s Hobbit Day Reading Contest. Video record yourself reading your favorite Tolkien passage, and be creative! There will only be one winner. Submission cut off date is Friday, Sep. 21st 11 am est. The winner will be announced LIVE on HobbitDay.com’s live steaming feed at 6 pm est.

The Grand Prize includes an official Hobbit Tote Bag, our own Hobbit Day Tee, the Middle-earth Network Hobbit Day Album, an official Gandalf for President button, an official ‘The Hobbit’ Movie Poster, a Lonely Mountain Band Album, an official Ted Nasmith digital download of ‘The Hidden Door’, an official ‘Second Breakfast’ Mug, and an official Sting Replica Sword! The official contest rules and contest information will be posted here, on Middle-earth News this Monday, so start thinking about what passage you’re going to read.

Giveaways: Hobbit Day giveaways will be announced on HobbitDay.com on our live stream feed and include, official Hobbit Tote Bags, official ‘Second Breakfast’ Mug, Hobbit Day Tees, and more. Tune in to win!

Feast Week (Sep. 22-29)

Giveaways: Every day this week we’ll be giving away one Official Hobbit Tote Bag and 2 Gandalf for President buttons. That’s 3 chances to win, every day! Be sure to watch our Facebook page and Twitter feed for details on how to enter.

News: Never heard of Feast Week?? This fantastically yummy way to celebrate the life of Tolkien was begun by Anna Maria Polidori, an Italian member of the Tolkien Society. Starting on Bilbo and Frodo Baggins’ birthday, participants “celebrate with an evening meal similar to the one the hobbits ate […] and/or engage in some activity described.” The official meal schedule includes Baggins’ Birthday, The Feast of Gildor, The Feast of Farmer Maggot, The Feast of Tom Bombadil, Prisoners of a barrow-wight, and The Prancing Pony.

As soon as the Middle-earth News staff found out about this celebration, we had to participate! Starting September 22 and continuing through the 28, each member of the staff will be posting the designated meal for that day and sharing their process, recipes, and photos with you. Our hope is to inspire each of you to cook your own meal and join in the tasty fun of Feast Week. Have a great recipe or food photos you want to share? Send them in and we’ll post them!

Photo Contest: Remember, contest entree cut off time is at midnight on Friday, Sep 28 and the winner will be announced Monday, October 1, on Middle-earth News.

Author: Arwen
The Creator and Executive Director of Middle-earth News. Arwen is a mother of two, an uber geek, loves all things Tolkien, pretends to understand LOTRO, and kicks ass at fantasy card games. She constantly quotes from The Muppets, Doctor Who, The Lord of the Rings, Battlestar Galactica, Stargate…. you get the point.